Prosthetic socket liner

Abstract

A prosthetic socket liner. A liner of the prosthetic socket liner has an inner and outer surface, the inner surface configured to engage skin of a user's residual limb and the outer surface configured to engage a surface of a socket of a prosthesis. An air channel coupled to the liner and to a valve extends downwardly towards a closed end of the liner and is configured to transfer air between an outer surface of the liner and ambient air through the valve. In implementations the air channel is configured to channel air between an inside of a cavity and a location outside the cavity. A method of donning a socket of a prosthesis includes donning a liner of a prosthetic socket liner over a residual limb, opening a valve on the liner, inserting the liner into a socket of a prosthesis with the valve open, and closing the valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A prosthetic socket liner, comprising:
 a liner comprising an inner surface and an outer surface and one or more valves, the inner surface configured to engage with skin of a residual limb of a user and the outer surface configured to engage a surface of a socket of a prosthesis; and 
 one or more air channels coupled to the one or more valves and comprised within a sidewall between the inner surface and outer surface of the liner, the one or more air channels extending downwardly towards a closed end of the liner, the one or more air channels configured to transfer air located between the outer surface of the liner and the surface of the socket with ambient air through the one or more valves; 
 wherein the one or more valves comprise a selective two-way valve and wherein the outer surface of the liner is non-air-permeable. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more air channels are at least two air channels and are further configured to transfer air located between the inner surface of the liner and the skin of the residual limb with ambient air through the one or more valves. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first socket engager coupled to the liner and configured to engage the surface of the socket. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more air channels transfer air from the closed end of the liner to proximate an open end of the liner. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a suspension member coupled to the liner between a first socket engager and the liner and comprising one of an air bladder and a compressible foam. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retainer coupled to the closed end of the liner and configured to bias the closed end of the liner towards the surface of the socket. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is comprised of a substantially non-air-permeable material. 
     
     
       8. A prosthetic socket liner, comprising:
 a liner configured to engage a residual limb of a user, the liner comprising a valve; 
 a first socket engager coupled to the liner and configured to engage a socket of a prosthesis; 
 an air channel comprised within a sidewall between an inner surface and an outer surface of the liner and configured to channel air between an inside of a cavity and a location outside the cavity, the cavity located between the liner and the socket; and 
 
       wherein the valve is coupled to the air channel and is configured to selectively allow and disallow air to be channeled between inside the cavity and outside the cavity; and 
       wherein the valve is a selective two-way valve and wherein the outer surface of the liner is non-air-permeable. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a second socket engager coupled to the liner and configured to engage the socket. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first socket engager comprises a flexible, circular fin extending outwardly from the liner. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is one of: a flap held closed by low pressure formed within the cavity; and a removable plug. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the air channel channels air from a closed end of the liner to proximate an open end of the liner. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a suspension member coupled to the liner between the first socket engager and the liner. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the liner is comprised of a substantially non-air-permeable material. 
     
     
       15. A method of donning a socket of a prosthesis, comprising:
 donning a liner of a prosthetic socket liner over a portion of a residual limb of a user; 
 opening a valve comprised in the liner; 
 inserting the liner into a socket of a prosthesis with the valve open; 
 in response to inserting the liner into the socket, transferring air located between an outer surface of the liner and a surface of the socket to ambient air through the valve and through one or more air channels comprised within a sidewall of the liner between an inner surface and an outer surface of the liner; 
 closing the valve; and 
 
       forming one of a lubricated surface and an air-tight seal between an outer surface of the liner and a surface of the socket, and wherein the outer surface of the liner is non-air-permeable.